U.S. patent application number 10/821637 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for poker game with a rank advancing ladder.
Invention is credited to Jackson, Kathleen Nylund.
Application Number | 20050110215 10/821637 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34595268 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050110215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson, Kathleen Nylund |
May 26, 2005 |
Poker game with a rank advancing ladder
Abstract
A video wagering game is played by placing at least one bet;
receiving a first set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the
first set of symbols as a first rank; receiving at least a second
set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the
symbols; determining the rank of the second set of symbols;
comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the rank of the
second set of symbols; determining whether the rank of said second
set of symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; and resolving the at
least one bet with respect to whether the second rank ties or
exceeds the first rank.
Inventors: |
Jackson, Kathleen Nylund;
(Scituate, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.
York Business Center
Suite 205
3209 West 76th St.
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Family ID: |
34595268 |
Appl. No.: |
10/821637 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60525324 |
Nov 26, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3293 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a wagering game: placing at least one bet;
receiving a first set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the
first set of symbols as a first rank; receiving at least a second
set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the
symbols; determining the rank of the second set of symbols;
comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the rank of the
first set of symbols; determining whether the rank of said second
set of symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; resolving the at
least one bet with respect to whether the second rank ties or
exceeds the first rank.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the first set of symbols
comprises receiving a first initial set of symbols and having the
option of discarding all or less than all of the symbols and
replacing discarded symbols to provide the first rank, and the at
least a second set of symbols is received only when the first rank
equals or exceeds a predetermined rank.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving the second set of
symbols comprises receiving a second initial set of symbols and
having the option of discarding all or less than all of the symbols
and replacing discarded symbols to provide the second rank.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein after resolving the at least one
bet, the second rank becomes a base rank in a next round of play of
receiving a third set of symbols and comparing a rank for the third
set of symbols to the second rank, wherein if the third rank ties
or exceeds the second rank, resolving the at least one bet with
respect to at least one of whether the third rank ties or exceeds
the second rank and b) how many consecutive rounds have been played
where a present hand rank has exceeded a previous hand rank.
5. A method of playing a sequence of rounds in a wagering game: a)
placing a first bet to potentially play in a sequence of games on
an undivided first bet; b) receiving a first set of symbols from
which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; c)
determining the rank of the first set of symbols as a first rank,
the game ending if the first rank does not equal a predetermined
rank and continuing to a following step d) if the first rank does
exceed or equal the predetermined rank; d) receiving at least a
second set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; e) determining the rank of the second set of
symbols; f) comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the
rank of the first set of symbols; g) determining whether the rank
of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; and
h) resolving the first bet according to a paytable with respect to
whether the second rank ties or exceeds the first rank.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein after step h), i) receiving a
third set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading
the symbols; j) determining the rank of the third set of symbols as
a third rank; k) comparing the rank of the third set of symbols to
the rank of the second set of symbols; l) determining whether the
rank of said third set of symbols ties or exceeds the second rank;
and m) further resolving the first bet according to a paytable with
respect to whether the third rank ties or exceeds the second
rank.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein after step m), n) receiving a
fourth set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; o) determining the rank of the fourth set of
symbols as a fourth rank; p) comparing the rank of the fourth set
of symbols to the rank of the third set of symbols; q) determining
whether the rank of said fourth set of symbols ties or exceeds the
third rank; and r) further resolving the first bet according to a
paytable with respect to whether the fourth rank ties or exceeds
the third rank.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein when a hand of high rank selected
from the group consisting of Four-of-a-Kind, Straight Flush and
Royal Flush is achieved on any hand, a special bonus is awarded the
player.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the special bonus varies depending
upon which hand in the sequence of rounds the high hand occurs.
10. A method of playing a sequence of rounds in a wagering game: a)
placing an initial wager of at least a first bet to potentially
play in a sequence of games on an undivided first bet; b) receiving
a first set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; c) determining the rank of the first set of
symbols as a first rank, the game ending if the first rank does not
equal a predetermined rank and continuing to a following step d) if
the first rank does exceed or equal the predetermined rank; d)
receiving at least a second set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; e) determining the rank of the
second set of symbols; f) comparing the rank of the second set of
symbols to the rank of the first set of symbols; g) determining
whether the rank of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the
first rank; and h) resolving the at least a first bet according to
a paytable with respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds
the first rank; wherein at any time after resolution of step h) the
player is provided with an option to withdraw all or some of the
initial wager, continuing the game with less than all of the
initial wager if less than all of the initial wager is
withdrawn.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein when a hand of high rank
selected from the group consisting of Four-of-a-Kind, Straight
Flush and Royal Flush is achieved on any hand, a special bonus is
awarded the player.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the special bonus varies
depending upon which hand in the sequence of rounds the high hand
occurs.
13. A method of playing a potential sequence of X rounds in a
wagering game, where X is a whole integer of greater than 2: a)
placing an initial wager of at least a first bet to potentially
play in a sequence of games on an undivided first bet; b) receiving
a first set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; c) determining the rank of the first set of
symbols as a first rank, the game ending if the first rank does not
equal a predetermined rank and continuing to a following step d) if
the first rank does exceed or equal the predetermined rank; d)
receiving at least a second set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; e) determining the rank of the
second set of symbols; f) comparing the rank of the second set of
symbols to the rank of the first set of symbols; g) determining
whether the rank of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the
first rank; and h) resolving the at least a first bet according to
a paytable with respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds
the first rank; wherein when in playing the sequence of X rounds,
when a rank of one hand fails to exceed a rank of a preceding hand,
any remaining rounds up to at least the X rounds may be played
according to steps b), c), d), e), f), g) and h) as if a first of
the remaining rounds were a first round.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the remaining rounds are played
with an effective bet that is different from the at one first
bet.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the effective bet is less than
the at least one first bet.
16. A method of playing a wagering game: a player placing an
initial wager of at least one bet; the player receiving a first set
of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the
symbols; determining the rank of the first set of symbols as a
first rank to see if the first rank equals or exceeds a first
predetermined rank; if said first rank exceeds the first
predetermined rank, the player receiving at least a second set of
symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols;
determining the rank of the second set of symbols; comparing the
rank of the second set of symbols to the rank of the first set of
symbols; determining whether the rank of said second set of symbols
either ties or exceeds the first rank; resolving the at least one
bet with respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds the
first rank, wherein, if the second rank does not exceed the first
rank, providing a third set of symbols to be compared to a second
predetermined rank that is higher than said first predetermined
rank and comparing a third rank of the third set of symbols to the
second predetermined rank and resolving at least a part of the
initial wager against a paytable if the third rank exceeds the
second rank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a poker game suitable for
use in casinos and other gaming establishments as a casino table
poker game particularly in a version as an electronic poker game
such as a video poker. The invention further relates to video
gaming play where multiple sequences of hand plays within a
progressing ladder of ranks within a game may be allowed with
enhanced payouts for consecutive wins.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] Games based upon variations of poker have attained enormous
popularity as casino-type entertainment games, particularly in the
past twenty years. The success of poker games in the gaming
industry is partially based on the game's simplicity (i.e., there
is widespread public knowledge of the game rules) and the fact that
players feel more directly involved in exercising judgment in the
play of the game. Furthermore, the technological innovations in
computer gaming equipment allow for reasonably fair odds being
provided to the draw poker player. Payouts are typically around
93-95%, and some casinos assert higher levels of payouts. The
steady generation of revenue provided to casinos by the various
poker games contribute to the game's popularity with casinos.
[0005] One possible limitation to a still broader expansion of
poker in casino operations may be the relatively low hit frequency
of the highest ranked reward, the Royal Flush (approximately every
40,000 hands), when compared to the apparent frequency of slot
machine jackpots. Additionally, in many poker games, the most
frequent events will be a push (e.g., a win that is equivalent to
the amount of the original wager) or a loss of the initial wager.
Although the addition of wild cards can increase the frequency of
winning outcomes and increase the relatively high apparent rank of
hands, the win or payouts will normally begin at a higher rank of
hand (e.g., at least three-of-a-kind in some wild card games) and
the amount of the payout (as a factor of the original wager) will
usually decrease with respect to each rank of hand. For example, in
five card draw poker (with no wild cards) as compared to five card
draw with one rank of card (e.g., deuces) wild, some comparative
payouts would include:
1 Hand No Wild Cards Wild Cards Two pair 2.times. 0 Three-of-a-Kind
3.times. 1.times. Straight 4.times. 2.times. Flush 5.times.
3.times. Full House 8.times. 5.times.
[0006] and the like. The satisfaction of an increased frequency of
higher ranked hands is diminished by the reduced payouts for those
higher ranked hands.
[0007] Many variations of poker and especially draw poker have been
developed for casino table games and for video games. Each of these
game variations features its own set of rules and/or optimal player
strategy. Some game variations attempt to increase the total game
outputs and are represented by games such as "Deuces Wild Poker,"
"Joker Wild Poker," "Bonus Poker," "Double Bonus Poker," "Second
Chance Poker," etc. Some games appeal to players by raising the
payout percentage to 97% and even higher through an approach of
providing bonuses for certain types of winning hands, such as Four
of a Kind of Aces, Four of a Kind of Twos, Four of Kind of Threes,
etc., as in Bonus Poker and Double Bonus Poker.
[0008] Another way in which casinos and gaming equipment
manufacturers have attempted to increase the enjoyment and length
of time that players spend at the gaming equipment is to add
variety to not only the types of games played, but also to the
format and strategy of the games played. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,356,140 describes a game called Double Play poker in which a
player is dealt two five card hands face up. The Player elects one
of the hands to be played, and the winning outcome is based upon
the play of the single hand chosen. Only one hand can be chosen for
play. While this game allows the player to select or play from one
of two hands, it does not maintain the other hand in the game, and
it does not allow another player to select the other hand.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,618 relates to a multi-tier video poker
game method including the step of receiving payment from an
individual and randomly dealing a first tier poker hand on a video
screen observable by the individual. The method additionally
includes enabling the individual to play the first tier poker hand
in consideration for said payment. Criteria are established for a
winning hand and the individual is awarded a payment credit if the
first tier poker hand played by the individual meets or exceeds the
criteria for a winning hand. The method further includes the step
of enabling the individual to selectively either accept payment in
an amount equal to or less than the payment credit or to wager the
amount on a second tier poker hand to be displayed on the video
screen.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,005 describes a game that requires each
player to make a bet or wager to participate in a round dealt by
the dealer. After each player makes a wager, the dealer deals a
predetermined like number of initial cards from a standard deck of
fifty-two playing cards to a predetermined number of hands. These
cards are preferably dealt face up showing the value of each card.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention calls for four
initial cards to be dealt face up to seven hands; however, the
number of initial cards dealt and the number of hands could vary.
After the initial cards are dealt, the dealer places odds on each
hand according to predetermined guidelines set by the house. An
option, if desired by the house, allows the dealer to select two or
more of the hands for combination as a field position. The rules
allow the player to select a field position to play instead of his
hand. If a player chooses the field position instead of one of the
hands, and either of the hands selected as part of the field
position wins, then the player wins. The odds for winning the field
position may be the odds previously selected for each hand or may
be new odds placed on the field position by the dealer. After the
dealer selects the odds for each hand, and the field position is
being utilized, each player selects one of the hands, the field
position, or a no-two-pair-or-better position. The
no-two-pair-or-better position, which may also be referred to as a
no-hand winning position, requires that none of the hands, after
all the cards are dealt, have two pairs or better according to the
conventional rules of Poker. The conventional rules of Poker set
the order of hands in descending order as follows: Straight Flush,
Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two
Pairs, a Pair, and Highest card.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,005 describes a method and apparatus for
playing a poker like game in which distinct hands are dealt to the
table and the dealer. Individual players may wager on particular
hands (against the dealer or for attaining a minimum predetermined
rank). Additionally, there are table odds for events evaluating a
multiplicity of the hands (e.g., 6:1 odds for no players' hand
having two pair or better).
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,431 describes a method of playing a
casino game (including table and video games in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,570,885 and 5,823,873) wherein increased payouts are achieved by
attaining predetermined numbers of consecutive wins at a game of
chance, including poker, craps, baccarat, blackjack, etc. Streaks
are identified by the dealer, as with a marker. An enhanced payout
is achieved with an initial side bet by the player. The game is
played in a fairly complex manner comprising the steps of:
[0013] (a) providing a conventional game receiving region and a
plurality of consecutive win chip receiving regions for the player,
each such region identifying a number of consecutive wins starting
with the number two and up to a maximum number of chip receiving
regions permitted by rules of the game;
[0014] (b) the player making a conventional bet of a denomination
within the denomination range permitted by rules of the game;
[0015] (c) the player making a bet on the occurrence of a
predetermined number of consecutive wins by placing the bet in one
of a predetermined group of consecutive win bet receiving regions
for use by the player, each bet receiving region representing a
different number of consecutive wins, the bet being of a
denomination permitted by rules of the game;
[0016] (d) playing the game of chance;
[0017] (e) deciding the winner of the game in accordance with
conventional rules of the game;
[0018] (f) providing a streak chip for use in monitoring a number
of consecutive wins made by the player;
[0019] (g) placing the streak chip upon the chip receiving region
identifying two consecutive wins to be attempted when the player
has won the first game;
[0020] (h) repeating step (b) preparatory to the play of the second
game;
[0021] (i) repeating steps (d) and (e) during the play of each
succeeding game;
[0022] (j) transferring the streak chip to successively higher
numbered consecutive wins bet receiving regions until the streak
chip is placed upon the consecutive win bet receiving area in which
the consecutive win bet was originally placed; and
[0023] (k) paying a player an amount equal to the denomination of
the consecutive wins bet made by the player at step (c) multiplied
by the odds for the consecutive wins selected when the player wins
a game following step (j). This procedure is complicated, there are
too many aspects that are capable of manipulation and fraud, and
there are too many variable odds without a clear and automatic
determination of the end of the game.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,260 describes a modified poker card game
for a computer system in which "Bingo Poker" is played (it actually
appears slightly more like "Domino Poker"). Individual cards are
chosen and then positioned along a grid of multiple hands. The
relevant feature is that the method includes "comparing individual
hands . . . to corresponding values in a predetermined winning
schedule . . . and awarding the player . . . responsive to the
total value." The actual hands are not compared, however, nor
increases in factors awarded for at least a certain number of hands
exceeding a specific predetermined value.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,120 describes a video draw poker game in
which a player commits to a certain number of replacement cards
before viewing a hand. The number of cards drawn may be altered,
along with alteration of the payout, after viewing of the hand. The
play is of interest because this is a significant deviation from
normal strategy, and the strategy of the play of the game must be
effected before the hand is viewed. This could lead to significant
disappointment in the play of the game, as where cards must be
replaced with a winning hand, and the replacement destroys or
lowers the rank of the winning hand.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,022 in effect describes a single card
draw, five card poker game, in which a five card hand is dealt, and
the hand may be altered by drawing a sixth card (only). The draw of
a sixth card alters the pay table.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,066 describes a game in which a base
poker hand may be provided on the screen a multiple number of times
(e.g., the same original five card poker hand being shown up to 100
times on a video screen). The player elects to replace specific
cards from the base hand, and each hand is randomly dealt from a
separate deck, replacement cards for the discarded cards. Each hand
is evaluated with respect to the rank of that hand, and individual
payouts are made for each hand according to a predetermined
paytable by rank and the total sum of individual hand payouts is
credited to the player. In essence, a single hand may be played up
to 100 times at the same time on a single screen. There is no
interactive payout when identical hands or significant numbers of
highly ranked hands occur.
[0028] Numerous patents also show poker being an alternative or
contemporaneous game with other casino games (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,988,643; 5,639,092.), but with no interactive payout when hands
of a particular poker rank and hands of a specific value (e.g., a
blackjack) are achieved at the same time or consecutively.
[0029] Heretofore it has been well known to play a variety of
different games with a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards,
including Blackjack, Poker, Bridge, Gin Rummy, etc. Games such as
Blackjack are universally played in casinos and other such
establishments because each player plays against the dealer or
house and because they provide an edge to the dealer or house.
Likewise, video draw poker machines in which a player individually
plays against the house are widely found in casinos. In the video
draw poker games there is an advantage to the house because the
player needs a hand having a pair of Jacks or better to win. Other
poker games, such as Seven-Card Stud, are not generally played in
casinos because the rules of Poker require players to play against
each other instead of each player playing against a single dealer
or the house. The casinos are thus unable to profit from running
such games. Moreover, in some poker games each player has one hand
even though some variations allow the players to share certain
cards. This limits the excitement of such games especially when a
player initially receives a poor or relatively low ranked hand.
Accordingly, there is a need for an exciting poker-like game in
which each player has the opportunity to win larger payouts within
the play of a game, even with hands of intermediate winning
ranks.
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,927 (Titled MULTI-STAGE MULTI-BET GAME,
GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD, Slomiany) discloses a game comprised of a
plurality of stages. Each operation of the game begins with the
operation of a first stage. Depending on the outcome of the first
stage the game may be over, or there may be an operation of a
second stage. Depending on the outcome of the second stage, the
game may be over or there may be an operation of another stage.
This sequence continues until the game ends or until the final
(nth) stage has been operated, at which time the game ends. Wagers
are made on successive stages of the multi-stage game. Each stage
of the game may typically have its own paytable or payout scheme,
and its own expected return. A bet made on a stage of the game
which is not played is lost in the preferred form of the invention.
One embodiment is a three stage, multi-line, multi-coin video slot
machine. The same game format (slots) with the same paytable is
operated on three stages, with increasing payout multipliers at
each stage providing an increasing amount to win at the higher
stages. The "spin" at each stage is independent of the previous
stages. The second embodiment is a multi-stage Five-Card Stud poker
game. Each stage is again independent of the previous stage. A
variation of this game is also shown which uses the same paytable
on each stage, but combined with a mechanism to increase the "hit"
rate. A third embodiment is a Draw poker game that combines the
concepts of the Stud poker embodiment with the decisions and
optimal play analysis that are integral to Draw poker. The fourth
embodiment is a dice game which has been adapted to provide a high
dependency between the first stage and the next stages.
[0031] U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,163 (Moody) discloses a game in which
the player makes a wager and is dealt a five card poker hand. The
player wins or loses depending on the poker hand ranking of the
hand. If the player has achieved a winning poker hand combination,
the player is paid according to the pay table and the player plays
again for no additional wager. The player is dealt a new five card
hand and the poker hand ranking of this new five card is
determined. If the player has a losing hand, the game is over. If
the player has a winning hand, the player is paid according to the
pay table and the player receives yet another five card for no
additional wager. This continues until the player receives a losing
hand. The method of play can also be applied to multiple hands.
[0032] U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,492 (Markowiak) discloses a method of
playing a betting game using a special payoff table is utilized.
Winning a round of play entitles players to the predetermined
payoff. The payoff tables are carefully constructed to accommodate
enhanced payoffs. Players are offered jackpots for winning
consecutive rounds of play in games that previously did not offered
it. Special bonuses are offered for arrangements specific to the
particular game, thus interest of the desired outcomes is
broadened. Players that won at least one round of play but then
lose, trying to obtain number of consecutive wins that would
qualify them for a jackpot, still receive a reward. The house edge
changes from round to round, and favors players continuing betting
after their wins. This method of playing can be used as the main
betting system or as a side bet. The game is played by wagering on
the outcomes of one or more played primary wagering games
comprising the steps of: a) accepting a primary game wager
according to conventional rules of the primary wagering game; b)
accepting a separate wager to be resolved once a primary wagering
game loss occurs, said separate wager resulting in a player reward
as long as one primary game win is realized; c) conducting a round
of the primary wagering game such that a win or loss is determined;
d) should play of the primary wagering game result in a loss,
collecting said primary game wager and said separate wager; e)
should play of the primary wagering game result in a win, paying
said player according to a payout table related to the primary
wagering game; f) repeating steps a, c and d until a primary
wagering game loss occurs; and g) then rewarding said player based
on the separate wager according to a pay table related to one or
more consecutive primary wagering game wins realized by said player
prior to the primary wagering game loss.
[0033] U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,613 (Yoseloff) describes a game
including the play of a hand of poker (either as a casino table
card game or a video gaming apparatus or computer game). A partial
hand is provided to a player after an initial wager. The actual
hand of poker involves the potential for at least two distinct
games of poker being playable from that partial hand. The player
may then elect to play one or more of the potential games from at
least two distinct games of poker available for play with that
hand. The nature of the at least two distinct games is that at
least two of the games which may be played from the partial hand
require decisions to be made where a decision with regard to a
election of play strategy in one poker game that is intended to
have or assist in getting a positive outcome is likely to have a
negative effect or comprises an adverse strategy in the play of the
second game. Various pay tables are provided that differ from each
other, with respect to each single game, depending upon whether the
player elects to play a single game with the partial poker hand or
elects to play at least two games with continued play of the
partial poker hand.
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,334 (Yoseloff) describes a method of
playing a casino video wagering game that includes at least a first
and second segment. The method comprises the steps of: placing a
wager to participate in a video wagering game; playing the first
segment of the video wagering game; continuing play of the first
segment until at least one predetermined condition has been met;
assigning a payout based on at least one predetermined winning
outcome of the first segment; playing the second segment of the
video wagering game when the at least one predetermined condition
has been met; wherein at least a portion of said payout of the
first segment is used as a wager in a second segment video wagering
game in which a visually different screen format is used in play of
a different game in the play of the second segment; and after play
of the second segment video wagering game, a second segment payout
is assigned based on at least a predetermined outcome of play of
the second segment video wagering game.
[0035] Published U.S. Patent Application 2003/0134673 (SLOT MACHINE
WITH ESCALATING SYMBOL VALUES, Moody) describes a slot machine
game. If the player achieves a winning combination of symbols on
active pay lines, the player is provided with a second spin of the
slot reels, but the first set of slot symbols are replaced with a
second set of slot symbols that have higher potential payouts. If
the player achieves a winning combination of symbols on active pay
lines on the second spin, a third spin is offered with a third set
of symbols with even higher potential payouts. As long as the
player keeps winning on each successive spin, the symbols continue
to be replaced with higher value symbols. Once the player loses,
the symbols reset to the first symbol set. Each successive spin may
be a free spin, or may require an additional wager for the
successive spins, or the some of the successive spins may be free
and others may be require an additional wager.
[0036] Published U.S. Patent Application 2004/0002376 (GAMING
DEVICE HAVING INCREMENTING AWARD BONUS SCHEME, Swift) describes a
gaming device and method having a bonus game, where the gaming
device enables a player to select symbol indicators such as a pair
of dice from one or more pairs of dice. The gaming device rolls the
selected pair of dice and the player receives a random number that
is based on the sum of the numbers on each die in the selected pair
of dice. If the number is not a terminator or doubles, an award is
provided to the player. Subsequently, an award accelerator
increases the award for the next roll by a random or predefined
amount. If the number is a terminator, the game ends and the player
receives the total accumulated award in the game. If the number is
doubles, the player receives a larger award generated by the award
accelerator. The accelerator doubles the award for a roll that
results in doubles and increases subsequent awards from this award
value. The player continues to select pairs of dice until the
player receives a terminator or until they have no rolls remaining
in the game.
[0037] Published U.S. Patent Application 2003/0027626 (ENHANCED
PAYOUTS BASED ON CONSECUTIVE WINNING COMBINATIONS, Marks) describes
a slot machine that provides enhanced awards for consecutive spins
with winning symbol combinations of any type ("Consecutive Wins").
Enhanced may be defined as any award in addition to the award
indicated by the game's base level award schedule. Enhanced awards
may include: any type of award (e.g., credits or free spins); any
amount of award (e.g., ten times the base level award or five free
spins); any combination of awards (e.g., credits and a free spin);
and any schedule of enhancement (e.g., five times the base level
credits for the first three consecutive wins and ten times the base
level credits for any additional consecutive wins). Following any
loss, the game returns to the base level award schedule.
[0038] Published U.S. Patent Application 2004/0017043 (Moody)
describes a video poker game. The player makes a wager on a first
round of video poker. If the player achieves a winning hand
combination on the first round of video poker, the player is
offered the opportunity to play one or more hands of video poker
against a higher pay table on the next round of video poker. The
player may continue to play against the higher pay table as long as
the player continues to achieve winning combinations during each
round of play. If the player fails to achieve a winning combination
during a round of play, the game resets to the initial lower pay
table and the player starts over.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0039] A player places a wager to participate in the play of the
game, which may include a single hand of play (at the player's
option) or may comprise sequential hands in the play of the game
(again, usually at the player's option, although there may be
required ongoing hands. If the player obtains a hand of at least a
minimum rank in a first game, the player has the option (or in
special circumstances is required) to play a second hand in which
potentially available winning amounts may be increased if the rank
of the second hand ties or exceeds the rank of the hand in the
first game (or round). The sequence of games may continue into
additional rounds, with the player required to obtain a hand of
equal or increased rank (over the preceding hand) to obtain
potentially increased awards. The player may risk none, some or all
winning or wagered amounts in the continuing sequence of rounds. A
first round may be played with a single or multiple hands, and
subsequent rounds may be played with single or multiple hands
compared against a single hand from the first round.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a general video gaming machine useful in the
practice of the present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 2-23 each show different screen shots of a video poker
game (referred to herein as "Heat Wave.TM. poker game") at
different stages of play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] An electronic video gaming system or casino table card game
is provided where multiple hands of poker are played
simultaneously, consecutively or in a staggered fashion. By "poker"
is meant one or more of the many variations of poker as it is known
in the gaming art, including but not limited to 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7
card games, stud poker games (cards are dealt to complete a hand
without the possibility of replacement), draw poker games (where
cards are dealt in an initial hand, and then none, one or more than
one, up to the total number of cards in the hand, may be replaced),
wild card poker games of both the stud and draw varieties (where a
special wild card or joker, or a specified rank, suit or rank and
suit set of cards is `wild,` being useful as any card designated by
the player or house), Pai Gow Poker, and other variations of card
games that are referred to in the art as poker games. Cards as used
in the practice of the present invention include images of cards as
well as physical cards.
[0043] A basic and general description of the practice of the
invention is as a method of playing a wagering game with at least
two consecutive plays comprising:
[0044] placing at least a first one bet;
[0045] receiving at least one first set of symbols from which a
rank may be determined in reading the symbols;
[0046] determining the rank of the first set of symbols;
[0047] comparing the rank of the first set of symbols to an
advancing rank table (that may include payout levels for certain
hands in a payout table);
[0048] determining whether the rank of said first set of symbols
meets or exceeds a minimum rank in the advancing rank table and/or
the payout table;
[0049] if the rank of the first set of symbols meets or exceeds at
least a minimum advancing rank, receiving at least a second set of
symbols from which a rank may be determined in the second set of
symbols;
[0050] determining the rank of the second set of symbols; and
[0051] comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the rank
of the first set of symbols (and possibly also a second payout
table and/or a second minimum rank table);
[0052] determining whether the rank of said second set of symbols
exceeds (or at least equals) the rank of the first hand (and
possibly at least a minimum rank in a payout table);
[0053] resolving the at least one bet with respect to whether a)
the second set of symbols equal or exceeds the advancing rank of
the first set of symbols and/or b) the first set of symbols and/or
the second set of symbols exceeds a minimum rank in the payout
table. The same game (in different rounds) may continue after each
event where a ranked hand in a last game (or round) equals or
exceeds the last rank achieved in the nearest earlier game (or
round).
[0054] The wagering structure may be varied in numerous ways. For
example, a single wager may be placed before the first hand (first
round) is dealt, and a) that wager may have to be carried into each
successive round, or b) a portion of the wager may have to be
carried into any successive round required to be played or elected
to be played, or c) any winnings or at least a part thereof (and/or
the initial wager or a part thereof) obtained from a paytable or
previous sequences of rounds where there has been a payout to the
player may have to be wagered or may be elected to be wagered in
sequential rounds where the player elects or is required to
continue play in the sequence of hands.
[0055] In appreciating the play of the game, certain terms should
be understood to assist in an understanding of the invention.
[0056] A "hand" is a set of symbols (usually in a card game) shall
be a set of symbols or especially cards that may be evaluated for
rank (especially such as for high cards, pairs, multiple pairs,
three-of-a-kind, straights, flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind,
straight flushes and Royal Flushes) that is played by one or more
players or a dealer. This is standard poker terminology. The hand
may be dealt all at once, in segments, or an initial hand (or
partial hand) dealt and cards replaced (usually referred to as a
draw) or added (either as cards unique to that player's hand or as
community cards in a "flop").
[0057] A "game" is a complete play of hands to a player according
to the rules of a game.
[0058] A "round" is a segment of a game wherein there is at least a
partial conclusion of playing events, with or without resolution of
awards. For example, in standard five card draw poker on a video
game, a round is finished when the player has placed a wager,
received the initial cards (usually five cards), elected which
cards to keep or discard, received any replacement cards for
discards, and the hand has been evaluated against a paytable to
determine winning, pushing or losing events. In other games, a
round may not be always so determinative. For example, in the
well-known club/social poker card game "Jacks-to-One/Trips-to-Win,"
there may or may not be any winning or losing events in a round. A
round may involve all players receiving five initial cards, all
players electing their individual holds and draws, all players
placing the necessary wagers, and no player achieving at least a
rank hand of three-of-a-kind, so that at the conclusion of that
round, another round of the same game will be played. A usual
indication of the end of a round is where players may not further
alter their cards or place any further wagers on the cards
presently in their respective hands.
[0059] Examples of the game of Heat Wave.TM. poker and its variants
will be illustrated and explained herein.
[0060] In the play of the game, a first round of poker (e.g.,
1-card poker, 2-card poker, 3-card poker, 4-card poker, 5-card
poker, 6-card poker, 7-card poker and their variants, as either
stud games, wild games, draw games and the like) is played after
the player has made a wager. In the first round played with a
player's first hand, the rank of the player's hand at the
conclusion of the round is determined. A number of events may
occur, according to the rules of the game. Among the rules are:
[0061] a) With any rank obtained in the first hand, the player must
continue into a second round of the Heat Wave.TM. poker game;
[0062] b) With at least a minimum rank obtained in the first hand,
the player must continue into a second round of the Heat Wave.TM.
poker game;
[0063] c) With at least a minimum hand, the player may continue
into a second round of the Heat Wave.TM. poker game or elect to
accept any winnings or push the initial wager.
[0064] Among the wagering options, the rules may include:
[0065] a) When there is a next round of play, the player must place
all of the initial wager at risk;
[0066] b) When there is a next round of play, the play must place
all of the winnings to date on the game (e.g., from all previous
rounds after a first wager) at risk;
[0067] c) When there is a next round of play, the play may place a
portion of the initial wager and/or winnings to date at risk and
withdraw another portion (all or some of the remaining amount);
[0068] d) When there is a next round of play, the gaming system or
game rules place none, a portion or all of the initial wager; and
none, all or some of winnings to date at risk, and credit the
player with another portion (all or some of the remaining
amount(s)).
[0069] The resolution of the bet may be with respect to whether
both the first set of symbols and the second set of symbols equal
or exceed a specific minimum rank in the payout table and may
require that the rank of both the first set of symbols and the
second set of symbols both exceed a minimum rank in the payout
table for the resolution of the bet on c) to provide a return on
the bet. The method may select the basis for the parlay payout in a
number of different ways. Where the hands are of equal rank stature
(e.g., both straights, both two pair, irrespective of the relative
rank within those categories), the basis of the parlay will almost
certainly be a payout based on that rank stature (e.g., straight or
two pairs, respectively). When the two games have different ranks,
yet both are above the minimum qualifying for parlay payouts, a
number of different formats may be used. The simplest is to compare
the two hands, select the lowest rank of the two hands, and
establish a payout table based upon that lowest rank. For example,
if the hands comprise a straight and a flush, the hands would be
considered as two hands of at least a rank of a straight. The
parlay payout would be based upon that collective, minimum value
rank. Similarly, if the hands were a full house and a Royal Flush,
the payout for the first hand would be for a full house, the payout
for the second hand would be for a Royal Flush, and the parlay
payout would be for two hands having a rank of at least a full
house. Another format would be to have the rank of the first hand
determine the parlay payout scale, the rank of the second hand
determine the parlay payout scale, an averaging of the two hands
determine the parlay payout scale, or have a specific predetermined
scale for the parlay payouts.
[0070] Another way of describing the play of the invention when
cards are specifically used as the symbols would be as a method of
playing a wagering game of cards with at least two consecutive
hands of card games being played, the method comprising:
[0071] placing at least one bet;
[0072] receiving at least one first hand of cards from which a rank
may be determined;
[0073] determining the rank of the first hand of cards;
[0074] comparing the rank of the first hand to a payout table;
[0075] determining whether the rank of said first hand meets or
exceeds a minimum rank in the payout table (and optionally
resolving that wagering event or indicating the resolution of that
wagering event or waiting until the completion of further play
before resolving this wagering event or wagering portion);
[0076] receiving at least a second hand of cards from which a rank
may be determined;
[0077] determining the rank of the second hand of cards;
[0078] comparing the rank of the second hand to a payout table;
[0079] determining whether the rank of said second hand meets or
exceeds a minimum rank in the payout table (and optionally
resolving that wagering event or indicating the resolution of that
wagering event or waiting until the completion of further play
before resolving this wagering event or wagering portion);
[0080] resolving the at least one bet with respect to whether a)
the first hand of cards exceeds a minimum rank in the payout table;
b) the second hand of cards exceeds a minimum rank in the payout
table; and c) first hand of cards and the second hand of cards both
exceed a minimum rank in the payout table. The method may have all
hands dealt from one or more decks of playing cards or a virtual
deck or decks of playing cards. The deck of playing cards is most
often a standard deck of fifty-two cards, but may comprise
specialty decks of cards (e.g., a Spanish 21 TM deck of cards with
the 10's missing, a canasta deck, a deck with wild cards, etc. All
ranks may be determined as poker ranks. All minimum ranks may be at
least one pair. The at least one bet may comprise one, two or three
bets. With three bets (three distinct wagering portions or
segments, for example), one bet would be allocated towards a), one
bet would be allocated towards b), and would be one allocated
towards c).
[0081] In this embodiment, the game may be a card game with well
established hand rankings such as poker, or may be another type of
card game in which the player's hand must beat the rank of the
dealer's hand. Examples of such games include War, Blackjack and
Caribbean Stud.TM. poker. The rules of the game in this instance
include paying the player a payout for beating the dealer in two or
more consecutive hands. In one example, the player places a
mandatory three part wager and wins the third or "parlay" wager or
payout only if the player beats the dealer with both consecutively
played hands.
[0082] Numerous variations on the play of the game may be made
according to the teachings of the present invention. A number of
those optional variations are described below.
[0083] 1) The initial bet may be consistent with regular game
wagering. That is, the player may be able to wager 1 to 100 or more
units on the play of the game. The paytable for the first round is
based upon the total wager and the total wager is not apportioned
between rounds. This means that the paytables will get increasingly
higher for progressive rounds and it may take winning two, three or
four rounds to obtain a push. This is balanced by the fact that
winning the first round may be accomplished with a low pair, such
as a pair of 2's, 3's or the like, or even an Ace-King high hand.
For example, on a wager of $10.00 on the game, a win on the first
round might pay 1:10 ($1.00), a win on the second round might be
1:4 ($2.50), the third round 1:2 ($5.00), the fourth round 2:1
($20.00), the fifth round 10:1 ($100.00), the sixth round 25:1
($250.00), etc. up to the maximum odds, which might be
$1,000,000.00 absolute amount or $10,000:1. The point of interest
is that only a single wager needs to be made rather than multiple
wagers specifically and equally divisible by the number of wagers.
All that needs to be done is for the paytables to be appropriately
balanced among the rounds. Extraordinary hands, such as
Four-of-a-Kind, Straight Flushes, and Royal Flushes would
optionally receive special awards, based on the amount of the
original wager, whenever they occur. Payments for these
extraordinary hands may also be varied according to the rounds. For
example, as the probability of a Royal Flush on five cards being
approximately 40,00/1, the typical odds payout of 4,000:1 or 1000:1
may be in place for the first hand, but may decrease for sequential
hands, as more hands are being played (increasing the likelihood of
a Royal Flush occurring in the game), the payout odds would
decrease. Additionally, the payout on the underlying wager would
increase as the number of hands in winning sequence occurred.
[0084] 2) Another variation is for the initial wager to be placed,
either on the total game (as in 1), above) or parsed among the
segments of the games (such as with eight games elected to be
played, placing 8.times.$5.00 wagers, or $40.00 total), and then
providing the player with an option to withdraw all or some of the
remaining wager(s). For example, if the player has originally bet
on six consecutive wins, and receives four-of-a-kind on the second
hand, the player can elect at that point to withdraw from the game
and forfeit a portion of the remaining four (6-2) wagers. For
example, the rules of the game may require forfeiting 3/4 of all
remaining wagers, 1/2 of all remaining wagers, or the fraction or
percentage of wagers that must be forfeit can depend on the number
of rounds remaining in the original wager. For example, if the
original play was for ten rounds, withdrawal after the second round
might forfeit 90% of remaining wagers, withdrawal after the third
round might forfeit 80%. Depending on the objective of the paytable
for incentivizing play, the proportion of forfeiture may increase
or decrease as shown in the following table based on a selection of
ten initial rounds to be played.
2 ROUND FORFEITURE PERCENTAGE 1 TOTAL FORFEITURE 100% 2 TOTAL
FORFEITURE 3 90% 4 80% 5 60% 6 40% 7 30% 8 20% 9 10% 10 NOT
APPLICABLE
[0085] Alternatively, the following incentivizing schedule could be
used.
3 ROUND FORFEITURE PERCENTAGE 1 TOTAL FORFEITURE 100% 2 TOTAL
FORFEITURE 3 10% 4 20% 5 40% 6 50% 7 60% 8 70% 9 90% 10 NOT
APPLICABLE
[0086] The first table would tend to promote continuation of the
game at early stages, while the second table would promote later
continuation.
[0087] 3) Another alternative would be for a loss at any point to
return the ongoing play of the game to n initial starting point, so
that a player does not forfeit all of the initial wager. For
example, if a player wagers on 10 consecutive wins, has three
consecutive wins (e.g., using the paytables outlined in 1) above)
and has won $8.50, the player wins nothing on a losing fourth
round, but the fifth round now returns to the equivalent of a first
round of play on the initial total wager, or a portion (e.g.,
one-half) of the initial wager, thus keeping the player active for
longer. This base-return type of play upon experiencing a losing
result may be a one-time event in a game or a multiple time event
(e.g., with losses on the fourth round, the fifth round returns to
the base game with six total possible rounds, and with a loss on
the eighth round, the game returns to base game play with two
possible rounds remaining.
[0088] 4) Additionally, if a loss occurs on the first round, the
game may return to the base game at round 1 and the paytable remain
the same or be reduced. The minimum winning hand for the first
round may also or alternatively raised for the first round win. For
example, a first round continuous win paytable and a first round
loss paytable are shown below.
4 1.sup.ST ROUND 1.sup.ST ROUND WIN PAYOUT LOSS PAYOUT Hand 1-2's
1:10 <2's 0 >Hand 1 1:5 10's 1:10 >Hand 2 1:2-3:4 >Hand
2 1:5 >Hand 3 2:1 >Hand 3 1:2-3:4 >Hand 4 5:1 >Hand 4
2:1 >Hand 5 10:1 >Hand 5 5:1 >Hand 6 25:1 >Hand 6 10:1
>Hand 7 100:1 >Hand 7 25:1 >Hand 8 1000:1 >Hand 8 100:1
>Hand 9 25,000:1 or .sup. >Hand 9 1000:1 absolute amount,
such as $1,000,000
[0089] In another embodiment, the first and second game segments
are video, computer, network or electromechanical reel slot games.
The player places a three part bet and wins the third bet only if
outcomes are obtained in the first and second identical or
different reel slot games that award a payout. Reel slot games are
ideal for practicing this invention as the games are typically
designed with a table of winning outcomes. The outcomes typically
have a rank, paying higher amounts for combinations that occur less
frequently.
[0090] An Exemplary Operating Environment
[0091] The following discussion is intended to provide a brief,
general description of the suitable computing environment in which
the invention may be implemented. While the invention will be
described in the general context of an application program that
runs on an operating system in conjunction with a personal
computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention may also be implemented in combination with other program
modules. Generally, program modules include code, applets,
routines, programs, components, objects, data structures, etc.,
that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
invention may be practiced with other computer system
configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,
LAN (large area networks) networks, WAN (wide area networks)
networks, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The
invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communication network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote memory storage devices.
[0092] An exemplary non-limiting system for implementing the
present invention includes a conventional personal computer (also
referred to as a client computer), including a processor or
microprocessor, a system memory, and a system bus that couples the
system memory to the processor. The system memory may include read
only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). A basic
input/output system (BIOS) is usually stored in the ROM. The BIOS
essentially contains the basic routines that help to transfer
information between elements within the personal computer during
certain computer operations, such as during start-up. The personal
computer further may include a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk
drive (e.g., that reads from and writes to a removable disk), and
an optical disk drive (e.g., that reads from a CD-ROM disk or reads
from or writes to other optical media). The hard disk drive,
magnetic disk drive, and optical disk drive may be connected to the
system bus by any mechanism such as a hard disk drive interface, a
magnetic disk drive interface, and/or an optical drive interface,
respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable
media provide non-volatile storage for the personal computer.
Although the description of computer-readable media above includes
the hard disk drive, a removable magnetic disk and an optical disk,
such as a CD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as
magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks and
tapes, Bernoulli cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the
exemplary operating environment.
[0093] A number of program modules may be stored in the drives and
RAM, such as an operating system and a network browsing program
module. In general, the network browsing program module is a tool
used to interact with other computers over data networks, such as
the Internet and the World Wide Web. The network browsing program
module is also a tool capable of using downloadable program
modules, such as the puzzle control module, in order to direct
operation of the personal computer. The drives and RAM may also
store other program modules, and program data (such as image data,
player input data, random number generators, comparator data [for
comparing hands and comparing results with lookup tables], and
other game play data).
[0094] The operating system, in conjunction with the BIOS and
associated device drivers, may provide the basic interface between
the computer's hardware and software resources, the user, and
program modules such as the network browsing software module. A
user may enter commands and information into the personal computer
through a touchpad, button panel, touch screen surface, light wand
surface, joy stick, and/or keyboard and an input or pointing
device, such as a mouse. Other input devices (not shown) may
include a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a tracking ball, a
light wand, a light gun, a satellite dish, a scanner, or the like.
These and other input devices are often connected to the processor
through a serial port interface, such as a game port or a universal
serial bus (USB). A monitor or other type of display device (e.g.,
public view screen, integrated monitors, serial monitors, grid
monitors, and the like, with any imaging format, such as CRT,
plasma screen, projection viewing, Liquid Crystal display, etc.) is
also connected to the system bus via an interface, such as a video
adapter. In addition to the monitor, personal computers typically
include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as
printers, peripheral light displays, and speakers.
[0095] The personal computer may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote programmable
devices, such as a remote computer. The remote computer may be a
server, a router, a peer device, or other common network node.
Typically, the remote computer includes many or all of the elements
described relative to the personal computer. In one embodiment of
the present invention, the remote computer's memory storage device
contains data (such as the game control module and the game data)
which may be downloaded to the personal computer. The memory
storage device also contains program modules (such as the game
server module) which may be used by the remote computer when
communicating with the personal computer. This type of format may
be particularly desirable where there is related play, as among
various similar devices, when associated in a bank of video gaming
equipment or when there is a coordinated jackpot function, with
numerous video gaming systems engaged in potential jackpot play,
within one bank of computers, within one casino, within multiple
casinos, or within many different gaming jurisdictions.
[0096] The logical connections depicted may include a local area
network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). Such networking
environments are commonplace in casinos, offices, enterprise-wide
computer networks, intranets and the global Internet. When used in
a LAN networking environment, the personal computer is connected to
the local network through a network interface. When used in a WAN
networking environment, the personal computer typically includes a
modem or other means for establishing communications over the wide
area network, such as the global Internet. The modem, which may be
internal or external, is connected to the system bus via the serial
port interface. In a networked environment, program modules
relative to the personal computer, or portions thereof, may be
stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated
that the network connections show are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communications link between the personal computer
and the remote computer may be used.
[0097] As discussed earlier, one embodiment of the present
invention is embodied in the game control module within the video
gaming apparatus as software, hardware or a combination of software
and hardware. The game control module essentially controls the
previously discussed computerized game. In one operating
environment, the game control module is used in conjunction with a
network browsing program module, which is supported by an available
operating system. Such as Microsoft Corporation's "WINDOWS 95" or
"WINDOWS NT" operating systems, LINUX, UNIX, or the like. However,
it should be understood that the invention can be implemented for
use with other network browsing program modules and with other
operating systems and hardware, such as Microsoft Corporation's
"WINDOWS 3.1" operating system, IBM Corporation's "OS/2" and "AIX"
operating systems, SunSoft's "SOLARIS" operating system used in
workstations manufactured by Sun Microsystem, Hewlett-Packard's
"HP-UX" and "RT-UX" operating systems, and the operating system
used in "MACINTOSH" computers manufactured by Apple Computer,
Inc.
[0098] From this brief description, it should be appreciated that
operating systems, such as the "WINDOWS 95" and "WINDOWS NT"
operating system, are quite complex and provide a wide variety of
services that allow users and programs to utilize the resources
available in the personal computer. Those skilled in the art will
be familiar with operating systems and their various features. For
more comprehensive information regarding the "WINDOWS 95" and
"WINDOWS NT" operating system and its interaction with programs,
the reader may refer to any of a variety of publications, including
the "Win32 Programmer's Reference" and "Advanced Windows", both
published by Microsoft Press.
[0099] Play of the Game
[0100] A player at a video gaming apparatus places a wager in the
apparatus or system (by coins, currency, crediting, debiting or the
like). In this example, three identical wagers of $0.25
(twenty-five cents) are placed into the play of a single game. A
rough view of a video gaming apparatus 2 on which the game of the
present invention may be readily played is shown. The apparatus 2
comprises a display panel 4 (e.g., a CRT monitor) having operator
control buttons thereon. These buttons may represent any of the
operationally player controlled functions such as a cash out button
8, bet one credit button 10, player hold/discard buttons 12, 14,
16, 18 and 20, currency or coin slot/acceptor 22, deal/draw button
24, and maximum bet button 26. A first player's hand is shown along
line A-A' and a second player's hand is shown along line B-B'. The
game is begun, for example, by the player pressing maximum wager
button 26 or pressing the wager one credit button 10 the desired
amount of times. The deal/draw button 24 is then pressed, or with
the maximum bet button 26 being pressed, the deal is automatically
started. Upon pressing the maximum bet button 26, the maximum wager
for three bet units 28, 30, and 32 is displayed. For any
incremental bets, the amount of the incremental bet for the three
bet units 28, 30, and 32 is displayed.
[0101] A typical series of pay table is shown below:
5 OUTCOME PAY TABLE I Royal Flush 800 to 1 Straight Flush 50 to 1
Four-of-a-Kind 25 to 1 Full House 8 to 1 Flush 6 to 1 Straight 4 to
1 Three-of-a-Kind 3 to 1 Two Pair 2 to 1 Pair of Sixes or Better 1
to 1
[0102]
6 PAYOUT TABLE II Royal Flush 500-to-1 Straight Flush 100-to-1 Four
of a kind 40-to-1 Flush 7-to-1 Straight 5-to-1 Three of a kind
3-to-1 Two pair 2-to-1 Jacks or better 1-to-1
[0103] The amount paid on the play of the first hand may then be
indicated in resolution frame or paid frame 44. After play and/or
resolution of the first hand, the second hand B-B', on which the
second bet 30 has already been placed, may now be displayed by
exposing or displaying cards 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 that constitute
the second hand B-B'. The second hand is then resolved according to
a pay table. The pay table for play of the second hand may be the
same as that for the play of the first hand (this is convenient
when the games are the same) or the pay table for the play and
resolution of the second hand may be different. After resolution of
the second hand, the artificial intelligence of the apparatus
determines if the second hand has established at least a minimum
predetermined rank that exceeds the rank of the first hand to
qualify for the parlay payout 48 to be paid on the game bet 32 as
carried into the second round of the game. If both hands are
appropriately ranked (the second hand a higher rank than the rank
of an advancing rank for the first hand), the apparatus resolves
the parlay bet 32 and indicates the amount of the payout in window
48.
[0104] The payout amount may be structured in many different ways,
with many different pay tables, but one attractive procedure may
include such variations within the ranges described below. For
purposes of discussion, a "win" is achieved by exceeding the rank
in the x.sup.th hand of the rank of the x-1.sup.th hand. It is
assumed in all numbers of wins that the first hand had a rank that
allowed the game to proceed, although variations in that rank are
also designable according to rules and odds that may be imposed on
the game, as discussed later.
7 Payout on No. of Wins Initial Wager Bonus for Final Rank 1
2:5-1:1 See Table I 2 1:1-4:1 3 3:1-6:1 4 5:1-9:1 5 7:1-16:1 6
10:1-30:1 7 20:1-500:1 8 100:1-4,000:1
[0105] The game may also have bonus at various stages for achieving
high rank hands, either by paying out awards at any stage or in any
round for particularly high ranked hands or for achieving a
particular high ranked hand by a particular round, or by
successively winning and maintaining a particularly low rank by a
certain stage. Among continuing bonus pay tables or specific round
paytables could be:
8 Continuous Pay Table (Paid for Rank Achieved in Any Round) Full
House 3:1-10:1 Four-of-a-Kind 10:1-200:1 Straight Flush 50:1-500:1
Royal Flush 100:1-5000:1 Rank-at Round Pay Table (Paid for Rank
Achieved by Particular Round) By Round 2 Full House 4:1-10:1
Four-of-a-Kind 30:1-200:1 Straight Flush 100:1-500:1 Royal Flush
1000:1-5000:1 By Round 3 Full House 4:1-10:1 Four-of-a-Kind
30:1-150:1 Straight Flush 100:1-400:1 Royal Flush 1000:1-4000:1 By
Round 4 Full House 3:1-8:1 Four-of-a-Kind 20:1-100:1 Straight Flush
100:1-400:1 Royal Flush 500:1-3000:1 By Round 5 Full House 3:1-6:1
Four-of-a-Kind 10:1-100:1 Straight Flush 100:1-300:1 Royal Flush
500:1-2000:1
[0106] The bonus may decrease with advancing stages as there have
been more opportunities for the higher ranked hands to occur, so
the payouts may be adjusted because of the change in odds. This
will not necessarily diminish the enjoyment of the player as the
higher ranked hand indicates a win in the underlying game and can
strongly influence the exercise of the player to continue into
another round, making any options clearer.
[0107] The amount of money at risk and being wagered may be
adjusted accorded to numerous available wagering schemes. The
simplest scheme is to have only the initial wager placed at risk.
That is, the player makes a wager of X credits (it will be assumed
to be $5.00 for numerical simplicity) and all awards are based upon
a multiplication of the award rate against this initial wager. Any
amount won in a round is credited to the player's account and the
game continues.
[0108] Another wagering scheme is to have the initial wager at risk
and then have all of the winnings of the player at risk in
subsequent rounds. This may be effected against a single pay table
or against separate pay tables for the initial wager and for the
winnings at risk. For example, the award rates for bonus hands may
be higher, the same or lower against the initial wager and the
winnings, with variations in the awards differing at different
rounds or stages. Examples of this format with all winnings at risk
(if elected by the player to continue) are as follows, with the
terms Wager Award (WA) meaning the award payout rate against the
wager and the Winnings Award (WIA) being the payout rate against
the winnings when played in advanced rounds:
9 Round Hand Rank Wager Award Winnings Award 1 Pair Advance Only 0
2 2 Pair Advance Only 1:1 3 3-of-a-Kind 1:1 2:1 4 Str. Or Flush 2:1
3:1-5:1 5 Full House 3:1-5:1 4:1-8:1 6 4-of-a-Kind 25:1-50:1
10:1-50:1 7 St. Flush 100:1-500:1 50:1-500:1 8 R. Flush
500:1-1000:1 500:1-4000:1
[0109] The Player or the processor in the video game may elect to
wager only a portion of the winnings, retaining some amount of past
winnings. The initial wager may get absorbed into the wagering
event and also may not be treated as a separate wagering unit after
the first wager. Such an event may be according to a format where
the Retained Winnings (RW) are assumed to be 60% and the award in a
previous round is assumed to be the lowest award amount against the
$5.00 wager.
10 Hand Round Rank WA WIA RW ($) 1 Pair Advance Only 0 0 2 2 Pair
Advance Only 1:1 3.00 3 3-of-a- 1:1 2:1 .about.11.00 Kind 4 Str. Or
2:1 3:1-5:1 .about.37.00 Flush 5 Full 3:1-5:1 4:1-8:1 .about.118.00
House 6 4-of-a- 25:1-50:1 10:1-50:1 .about.1580.00 Kind 7 St. Flush
100:1-500:1 50:1-500:1 .about.7,800.00 8 R. Flush 500:1-1000:1
500:1-4000:1 .about.25,000.00
[0110] This tends to be a complex format of wagering, so it is
preferred that the initial wager be absorbed into the wagering
scheme, which simplifies the table as follows:
11 Round Hand Rank WIA RW ($) 1 Pair 0 0 2 2 Pair 1:1 3.00 3
3-of-a-Kind 2:1 .about.10.00 4 Str. Or Flush 3:1-5:1 .about.30.00 5
Full House 4:1-8:1 .about.100.00 6 4-of-a-Kind 10:1-50:1
.about.1200.00 7 St. Flush 50:1-500:1 .about.6,000.00 8 R. Flush
500:1-4000:1 .about.20,000.00
[0111] Awards may also be based on fixed amounts in a ladder. For
example, independent of the rank of hand achieved, each win raises
the payout rate against the initial wager and all or some of the
winnings to date may be credited to the player, without further
risk. Alternatively, all or some of the winnings to date in the
game may be placed at risk at ladder odds (either literally against
the wagered winnings or amortized to the original wager) or at
specific odds for the wagered winnings. By amortized odds, for
example, if the initial wager were $5.00, the actual ladder payout
was $25.00, and the player elects to wager $10.00 in the next round
from the winnings, this would effectively be a $2.00 original
wager. If the next win were for a $50.00 win on a $5.00 wager, a
win with the $10.00 wager (with the player retaining $15.00 from
the winnings), the payout at ladder wagers would be 5:1, or $10.00.
This is a less attractive wagering scheme in some regards, but it
allows the player to retain winnings and still progress up the
ladder.
[0112] The initial round of the game may also be varied according
to game play design and wagering design. It is possible, at the
lowest qualifying level, for the first round to establish a base
hand for future wins, with no minimum rank required. This would
nearly assure a win in the next round when there was a minimum rank
hand (e.g., 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 out of suit) as only an identical hand
would fail to be higher then that initial hand. It is preferred
that the first hand have at least a minimum established rank (e.g.,
at least Ace-King, at least any pair, at least a ranked pair, e.g.,
3's, 4's, 5's, 6's, 7's, 8's, 9's, 10's, Jacks, Queens, Kings or
Aces). Once the minimum rank has been established, each successive
round need only equal or exceed the previous hand and no further
minimum rank needs to be established, although that is an option in
play. For example, if the first minimum advancing rank is any rank
or a pair of 2's, the next rank may be required to be at least a
pair of Jacks. The third rank may be required to be at least two
pair, or at least two pair with at least a pair of 10's. Thus, the
game may be played with or without minimum rank requirements in
each round.
[0113] A review of the Figures and an example of a few rounds of
play will be instructive. FIG. 2 shows a screen 2 for the game of
Heat Wave.TM. poker while at rest. A pay table 4 for bonus payoffs
and the game ladder 6 is shown. Control buttons 8, a first hand
display 10 and the last hand played display 12 are also shown. FIG.
3 shows a wager of 50 credits (5 credits for each of 10 hands to be
played), and a first hand 20 that has been dealt, with a pair of
5's shown. That is at least a minimum rank needed to advance to the
next round of play. In FIG. 4, the player elects to Hold All
(button 28) to minimize the rank of the hand. Even though this
limits the potential for a bonus award in this round, it maximizes
the chance of advancing on the ladder by minimizing hand rank.
[0114] In FIG. 5, the effect of the Hold All action in FIG. 4 is to
indicate the Target value hand that must be tied or beaten in the
second round as a Pair of 5's (in line 32). In FIG. 6, the second
hand 38 has been dealt, which does not automatically exceed the
Target Rank 32. The player must therefore decide what cards to hold
or discard. In FIG. 7, the player has elected to save the Ace, 6
and 5 so as to hold cards that could be paired to tie or beat the
Target Rank 32, yet minimize the rank of the second hand. In this
case, a pair of 6's was obtained, which will become the new Target
Rank 46 in FIG. 8. The Credits Won 48 are indicated as a win from
the first pair (5 credits) and for beating the first pair (the 20
Credits from Game 2 50). FIG. 9 shows the third game play dealt
with the third hand 58 on which the player attempts to achieve a
hand greater than the Target rank 46 of a pair of 6's, yet minimize
the final result by discarding the pair of 2's, saving the Ace,
King and Jack. FIG. 10 shows the resulting hand 68 from this
strategy as a pair of Aces, winning Round 3 with still only a Pair
of Aces. FIG. 11 shows the new Target rank 76 of the Pair of Aces
and the total of Credits Won 78 before the next round is initiated.
A particular feature may include the Aces being recognized as being
a High rank to beat the last hand, then automatically being
considered as a Low rank going into the next round. This strategy
allows for the ability to, for all intents and purposes, "start
over" and hopefully obtain a larger strings of exceeding-rank
wins.
[0115] In FIG. 12, the new Target Rank (low aces) 76 is shown along
with the initial fourth hand 86. The player elects to hold the 2
and 4, hoping to achieve a Pair of 2s or 4s which would exceed the
Low Aces rank of the last round, yet provide another minimal hand
for the next round Target Rank. The results of this strategy is the
losing hand shown in FIG. 13. The player has won 60 credits on the
initial 50 credit wager.
[0116] FIG. 14 shows an initial new hand 104 on the video screen
102. This begins a new game. The initial hand 104 is shown as
three-of-a-kind (Three S's) which has a number of options of play.
One option is to discard a 5 to keep a low hand in the Ladder
aspect of the game, or to keep the Three S's and hope for a bonus
hand. The latter strategy is chosen by way of example. The results
of this strategy are shown in FIG. 15, where the hand remains as
Three 5's, which becomes the Target Rank 116 in FIG. 16. The
initial second hand 118 dealt in FIG. 16 has the potential for a
flush, a straight or a straight flush, any of which beat Three 5's
and would be a winning hand, so only the Jack would be discarded.
The results of this strategy are shown in FIG. 17, with the
straight flush obtained. The Credits Won 128 indicate the Bonus Pay
of 500 credits and the two game awards from the ladder pay table
132.
[0117] In FIG. 18, the straight flush becomes the new Target Rank
136 and a new hand 138 is shown. The player elects to keep the 7D,
10D and Jack of D, which are the basis for a higher straight flush.
The results of this strategy is the flush shown as the fourth hand
148 which does not exceed the Target rank 136 or win a bonus
award.
[0118] Another strategy is shown in FIG. 19, wherein a maximum
wager has been placed and the initial hand 160 on the screen 162 is
Two Pair. The player would elect to keep the lower of the pairs
(discarding the pair of Kings) to establish the new Target Rank,
the results of the strategy being the two pair shown as final hand
176 in FIG. 20. In FIG. 21, the Target Rank 186 is shown on two
lines for clarity and the new hand 188 is shown. The resulting play
in FIG. 22 is a losing hand 198.
[0119] Wagers may also be altered between play of hands and hand
sequences, usually only by lowering the amount of an additional
wager, if allowed, so that if wagers continue to be at risk or if
additional bonus amounts are offered, the player can be assured of
some significant win, yet have the potential for a substantial
win.
[0120] The alternative formats of play can be further described as
a method of playing a sequence of rounds in a wagering game by a)
placing a first bet to potentially play in a sequence of games on
an undivided first bet. A sequence of bets is at least two or three
rounds of hands being provided, theoretically up to hundreds of
thousands of rounds, but effectively the number of rounds should be
between 2-25, preferably between 3-35, between 2-20, between 3-20,
between 2-15, between 3-15, or between 2-10 and between 3-10. Any
partial portions of these ranges (e.g., 2-8, 3-17) may also be
used. b) receiving a first set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; c) determining the rank of the
first set of symbols as a first rank, the game ordinarily ending if
the first rank does not equal a predetermined rank and continuing
to a following step d) if the first rank does exceed or equal the
predetermined rank; d) receiving at least a second set of symbols
from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; e)
determining the rank of the second set of symbols; f) comparing the
rank of the second set of symbols to the rank of the first set of
symbols; g) determining whether the rank of said second set of
symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; and h) resolving the first
bet according to a paytable with respect to whether the second rank
ties or exceeds the first rank. This method of play is based upon a
single wager being placed, with the entire wager at play in each
round of play, as opposed to wagering 2-25 equal bets at play at
each round. After the first round of play (rank 2 being compared to
rank 1), the method may continue with another sequence wherein
after step h), i) receiving a third set of symbols from which a
rank may be determined in reading the symbols; j) determining the
rank of the third set of symbols as a third rank; k) comparing the
rank of the third set of symbols to the rank of the second set of
symbols; l) determining whether the rank of said third set of
symbols ties or exceeds the second rank; and m) further resolving
the first bet according to a paytable with respect to whether the
third rank ties or exceeds the second rank. Similarly a fourth
sequence may be played as wherein after step m), n) receiving a
fourth set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; o) determining the rank of the fourth set of
symbols as a fourth rank; p) comparing the rank of the fourth set
of symbols to the rank of the third set of symbols; q) determining
whether the rank of said fourth set of symbols ties or exceeds the
third rank; and r) further resolving the first bet according to a
paytable with respect to whether the fourth rank ties or exceeds
the third rank. When a hand of high rank selected from the group
consisting of Four-of-a-Kind, Straight Flush and Royal Flush is
achieved on any hand, a special bonus may be awarded the player.
The special bonus may vary depending upon which hand in the
sequence of rounds the high hand occurs.
[0121] Similarly in a method of playing a sequence of rounds in a
wagering game, the game is played by a) placing an initial wager of
at least a first bet to potentially play in a sequence of games on
an undivided first bet. The initial wager may be a single wager, as
described above or multiple wagers with portions at play in the
play of the game sequences. b) receiving a first set of symbols
from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; c)
determining the rank of the first set of symbols as a first rank,
the game ending if the first rank does not equal a predetermined
rank and continuing to a following step d) if the first rank does
exceed or equal the predetermined rank; d) receiving at least a
second set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; e) determining the rank of the second set of
symbols; f) comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the
rank of the first set of symbols; g) determining whether the rank
of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; and
h) resolving the at least a first bet according to a paytable with
respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds the first rank;
wherein at any time after resolution of step h) the player is
provided with an option to withdraw all or some of the initial
wager, continuing the game with less than all of the initial wager
if less than all of the initial wager is withdrawn.
[0122] Another game format would be as a method of playing a
potential sequence of X rounds in a wagering game, where X is a
whole integer of greater than or equal to 2 (e.g., the 2-25
described above). The game being played by a) placing an initial
wager of at least a first bet to potentially play in a sequence of
games on an undivided first bet; b) receiving a first set of
symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols;
c) determining the rank of the first set of symbols as a first
rank, the game ending if the first rank does not equal a
predetermined rank and continuing to a following step d) if the
first rank does exceed or equal the predetermined rank; d)
receiving at least a second set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; e) determining the rank of the
second set of symbols; f) comparing the rank of the second set of
symbols to the rank of the first set of symbols; g) determining
whether the rank of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the
first rank; and h) resolving the at least a first bet according to
a paytable with respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds
the first rank. In playing the sequence of X rounds, when a rank of
one hand fails to exceed a rank of a preceding hand, any remaining
rounds up to at least the X rounds may be played according to steps
b), c), d), e), f), g) and h) as if a first of the remaining rounds
were a first round. The remaining rounds may be played with an
effective bet that is different from the at least one first bet.
For example, if the first bet were $10.00 placed on eight rounds
and the comparison failed at the third round, a wager of $5.00 may
continue on the remaining five rounds. Usually the effective bet is
less than the at least one first bet.
[0123] Another format for playing a wagering game comprises a
player placing an initial wager of at least one bet (again a single
bet or multiple bets played in each round separately); the player
receiving a first set of symbols from which a rank may be
determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the
first set of symbols as a first rank to see if the first rank
equals or exceeds a first predetermined rank; if said first rank
exceeds the first predetermined rank, the player receiving at least
a second set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in
reading the symbols; determining the rank of the second set of
symbols; comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the
rank of the first set of symbols; determining whether the rank of
said second set of symbols either ties or exceeds the first rank;
resolving the at least one bet with respect to whether the second
rank ties or exceeds the first rank, wherein, if the second rank
does not exceed the first rank, providing a third set of symbols to
be compared to a second predetermined rank that is higher than said
first predetermined rank and comparing a third rank of the third
set of symbols to the second predetermined rank and resolving at
least a part of the initial wager against a paytable if the third
rank exceeds the second rank. This type of format may also be
played when the first hand does not meet a predetermined first rank
that is ordinarily needed to continue play of the game sequences.
For example, if the first predetermined rank is a pair of 2's and
the rank, even after discard and replacement does not meet that
rank, the game may be allowed to continue with at least one more
round with a second predetermined rank provided that the second
hand must equal or exceed for the game to continue, such as a pair
of J's, Q's, K's, or Aces. That default second predetermined rank
may also be played against a different paytable than the first
round was played, usually at a lower payout rate. The same format
can also be used when the second rank fails to exceed the first
rank, even after the first hand qualifies. A third hand may be
provided, and the rank that must be equaled or exceeded by the
third rank may be required to be a second predetermined rank or the
actual first rank, for example, whichever is higher or whichever is
lower, or by any other selection method.
[0124] One skilled in the art would appreciate the equivalents and
alternatives that could be practiced, yet remaining within the
scope of the invention disclosed.
* * * * *